![[PWD 101] EXPLAINED: How To Choose Between Round And Square Drill](http://paintwithdiamonds.com/cdn/shop/articles/Square_vs_Round_Drill_1024x1024.jpg?v=1576615372)
If you're new to the wonderful world of Diamond Painting, you're probably a bit overwhelmed. Well, overwhelmed AND super excited to get started!
Well fear not, friend! We're here to hold your hand as you embark on your Paint With Diamonds journey!
In our new PWD 101 series (PWD stands for Paint With Diamonds btw!), we'll walk new diamond painters through everything they need to know about this incredible new stress-relieving hobby.
THIS WEEK: We're going to take a quick look at the difference between square drill and round drill diamond paintings!
DID YOU KNOW: In PWD, the term "diamond" can be used interchangeably with "resin" or "gem."
Square Vs. Round Drill: What's The Difference?
In Paint With Diamonds, a "drill" simply refers to the shape of each individual diamond you'll be applying to your canvas. If it's confusing, just replace the world "drill" in your head with the word "diamonds."
- Square Drill --> Square Diamonds
- Round Drill --> Round Diamonds
In choosing between square and round drill, it's important to know that there are no right answers. As with so many things in life, this is more or less a subjective preference! Your goal should be to choose whichever shape that YOU personally think is most beautiful :).
QUICK SIDE NOTE: "5D DIAMONDS" - Confused about what "5D Diamonds" are? This is essentially a marketing buzzword that refers to the shape of the diamonds. With the resin diamonds featured below, "5D" refers to the shape you see that so beautifully reflects light to make the diamonds sparkle!
Square Drill (aka Square Diamonds)
What People Are Saying
Creates A Fuller, More Complete Looking Painting.
Square drill diamonds look a bit "cleaner" than round drill diamonds. They line up more easily and create a "fuller" mosaic look when enjoyed from a distance.
Square Diamonds Satisfyingly "Snap" Into Place.
Sometimes it's the little things that matter! When you start making progress on a painting and begin filling in gaps, you get a satisfying "snap" and a sense of achievement, as dorky as that sounds!
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Round Drill (aka Round Diamonds)
Easier (And Faster!) To Pick Up And Apply Diamonds.
Round diamonds just seem to stick to the diamond pen better, making the transition seem more seamless.
Finished Painting Feels Less "Complete."
Given the round shape of the diamonds, gaps between diamonds may appear more apparent when you're close up with the painting.
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Final Word - What Do Hardcore PWD Fans Think?
We polled our Paint With Diamonds Support Group audience, and the answer couldn't be clearer. Have a look for yourself!
The overwhelming majority prefers SQUARE over ROUND (383 vs 87!). In fact, almost twice as many of you are indifferent to whether your diamonds are square or round than actually prefer round!
Do you agree with the consensus? Tell us why or why not in the comments down below!
Comments
Caroline Bawn said:
I’ve done both and find the square more time consuming and less enjoyable. If it’s not lined up probably the diamonds pop out.
November 20, 2018
angie erickson said:
i do not care for the square diamonds they are horrible to work with, i have always sent them back or just thrown them away, i will never order the square diamond i prefer the round much easier to work with and always turn out beautiful
November 20, 2018
Bev walstra said:
I prefer the round diamonds they are much quicker and they are easier to work with i am so addicted to this craft now totally relaxing to do thank you painting with diamonds
November 20, 2018
Holly said:
The square drills do look better in the finished picture, but they are harder to pick up and place on the canvas. If you have the patience, that is great. If not, go with the round ones!
November 20, 2018
Annie LaStar said:
I have now done 6 canvases and definitely prefer the square diamonds. I’ve just started working with some x-stitch patterns and ordered a whole bunch of square diamonds. I like the way they line up and have no trouble picking them up as opposed to round drill, and do like that “snap”.
November 20, 2018
Tina Haynes said:
to Elaine Allen RE: you’re Aug. 3,2018 post. lay it out and peel back the corners (at least to the center) of the paper then lay them back down and smooth them back out. If it’s a large one with many rows do this to each row then turn it around and do it to the other side. It should lay flat. You can use a sharp blade like and Exacto knife or box cutter and score VERY lightly thru the bubbles and that should do the trick. I’m not sure about the creases. Ladies? I know someone out there has a magic cure for creases so bring it on! Elaine needs you!
November 20, 2018
Brandy TAYLOR said:
Elaine Allen i learned that canvas wrinkles can easily be removed by spritzing the crease with water on the backside allowing the crease to relax and blow dry. Crease gone! Ive tried it on another project and worked like a charm! Good luck!
November 20, 2018
Judy Craft said:
I love the square drills but a lot of them have little nips on them so you can’t get them right next to each other . 🙁
November 20, 2018
Judy Craft said:
I love the square drills but a lot of them have little nips on them so you can’t get them right next to each other . 🙁
November 20, 2018
Lyne said:
I prefer square diamonds, it gives a better finish to our image!
November 20, 2018
Dick K. said:
Have done several kits, all with square drill I can’t imagine using the round unless you plan on hanging the picture where no one can get closer to it than 15 or 20 feet. Only problem I have is the diamonds in my last kit had an extraordinary amount of “flash” on them which prevents a close fit if not removed.
November 20, 2018
Sandra Carpenter said:
What is the measurements , ei; 20×35cm..?? How do I know of 3 choices..which one to choose?
November 20, 2018
Cynthia said:
This does not explain the term “Full Drill” I keep seeing advertised. What is “Full Drill”?
November 20, 2018
Kourtney said:
I started with square diamonds and just did my first round. Round definitely went quicker, but I couldn’t wait to be done with it to go back to my square. I will be sticking to square from now on. I did not like the gaps between the diamonds. Although round looks “ok” from afar, square looks more complete. I love how the square fit together.
November 20, 2018
Diana said:
I have both round and square and love them both. Organizing the colors are the problem. Leftover diamonds with the same color code don’t match they are a shade lighter or darker.
November 20, 2018
Sheila McCarty said:
I am trying to find a place I can get square drill for the Diamond Painting. Garden Cottage and the number is 921
November 20, 2018
Toni johnson said:
I absolutely love ❤️ P.W.D. It’s my hands down my favorite hobby.
November 20, 2018
Barbie Creech said:
I hate the square diamonds. They don’t line up correctly and end up in a sqiggily line. I even have a “pick up tool” that is supposed to do a line of 5-7 gems in a row. It doesn’t make it any easier to line up the gems in a straight line. Not as relaxing as the round gems.
November 20, 2018
Lynn said:
Is there a way when purchasing a painting to check if the diamonds are square or round. I always prefer the square shape and usually annoyed when order comes and they are round !
November 20, 2018
Rachel Harrell said:
I almost didn’t even do another one of these things cause I had such a terrible experience with the square ones- it wasn’t fun at all please keep options open for the circle ones!!!
November 20, 2018
Julie Lambert said:
I prefer the round because they are easier to place more evenly but I do have problems with getting the wrinkles or creases out of the canvas I lay them under heavy books and still can’t get them all out. You need to find a way to ship them rolled in a tube or something.
November 20, 2018
Tracey Gregory said:
To Elaine Allen. For wrinkle and bubble removal, go to utube for 10 tips on working with diamond dotz. The lady in the video is Australian. I hope they’re not too many to review. GOOD LUCK!!
November 20, 2018
Linda Thompson said:
Have done one with square diamonds – took forever, difficult to line up; difficult to pick up; almost impossible to read numbers and letters; in other words. I DO NOT like the square diamonds!!!!
November 20, 2018
Catherine Jones said:
I haven’t tried the Round drill. I Love the finished look using the square drill. Very sparkly and beautiful. Also VERY EASY to pick up and apply to the canvas!
November 20, 2018
Janette said:
I have done many of these pwd and love how relaxing it is, I have done 1 with the round and most are the square which I prefer. My 1 complaint is the depending which company you get them from the square drill are not very square so they don’t fit as nicely as they could. But all in all I love PWD!!!
November 20, 2018
Anne crispo said:
I love paint with diamonds! I find it relaxing and fun. I have only used the square ones and I think i will stay with them. I have found that when you try to flatten out the canvas if you switch it after a while it does flat out better. Also when you start to work on it it will flatten out as well
November 20, 2018
Julia Williams said:
I still don’t understand how to choose round or square. Please explain.
November 20, 2018
Jennie said:
I ordered my first picture a week ago, of my dog, (square drill). I can’t wait to receive it.
November 20, 2018
Nancy said:
I am on my 3rd diamond painting, all of which are round drill. I got started on a square drill last week but did not finish it because the kit had some flaws (black Christmas tree!). It is true that the square drill give a more complete picture, but I found them difficult to work with. That is not to say that I won’t try again; in fact, I have a few more square paintings on order. So, I suppose I would say that I am in the 25% who like both. If the picture is pretty, I just don’t care:-) Also, I have worked one partial drill and also found it to be gorgeous. The picture was a white wolf and most of the area was covered with diamonds with only a small bit of canvas left on the margins. It’s just a very satisfying craft…
November 20, 2018
Susan Bernard said:
To get out the wrinkles in a new picture, just turn it over, cover with a tea towel and lightly iron it. Wrinkles come right out. Do not use a hot iron.
November 20, 2018
JoAnn Staats said:
Please tell me do you have American FLAGS?
November 20, 2018
Brenda Allday said:
I have used both round and square diamonds. I much prefer to use the square diamonds.
November 20, 2018
Alison Gordon said:
I prefer the square diamonds 100 percent!
November 20, 2018
Stella said:
I agree with Elaine mine has 5 folds over 2 weeks and no sign of my picture straightening out!
November 20, 2018
Joyce Wendeln said:
I HATE the square diamonds. They are HORRENDOUS to work with. They are difficult to pick up, IMPOSSIBLE to line up, and generally a pain in the posterior.
August 03, 2018
Monica said:
I have done paintings with both shaped drills, and I honestly prefer the square drill. I feel that it makes the picture more complete and easier to see what the picture is after all is said and done. This is my #1 favorite hobby of all time now!!!
August 03, 2018
Lorraine Menter said:
I have only used round so far, but love doing it. Will try the Square, soon. I find them easier to pick up, if I put them on something terry, instead of the green plastic holder.
August 03, 2018
Elaine Allen said:
Is there any way that maybe instead of wrapping the canvas around the diamonds, you could maybe ROLL the canvas and stick the diamonds in last? I have had one under my mattress for 3 weeks and still can not get the wrinkles and bubbles out. Any suggestions?
August 03, 2018
Elaine Allen said:
Is there any way that maybe instead of wrapping the canvas around the diamonds, you could maybe ROLL the canvas and stick the diamonds in last? I have had one under my mattress for 3 weeks and still can not get the wrinkles and bubbles out. Any suggestions?
August 03, 2018
Lauren said:
Haha I just posted about ordering a new sq full canvas Lavender Kitty. I googled about doing sq drills and the internet post I clicked on explained what I needed to know. Then looking more closely I find it is the company I just ordered from. That is awesome customer involvement. Can’t wait for my kit to arrive. Oh after confirmation of my order I received a $5 coupon. If all goes well this is my company of choice!
August 03, 2018
Lauren said:
I for my first did the round Starry Night from the Diamond Dotz company. It is beautiful and I framed in a deep midnight blue. I just ordered what is called Violet Kitty from a diamond dotz company that ships from overseas. It is a square drill. A black cat with lavender flowers. Looking forward to it. It is approximately 12×12 full square drill. I guess I will see the difference between sq and round and difficulty level.
August 03, 2018
Victoria Walker said:
My first one was a full square and I was immediately hooked! I had to laugh when I read about that satisfying “click”, I figured it was just my weirdness coming through lol. I have also done partial round but I really prefer the full squares. If I do more partials, they will most likely continue to be rounds though. I think the squares would be too much in a partial. Wow that sounds odd when reading back. But it will make sense to you guys I’m sure. I have like 4 more to do plus I’ve ordered two more larger ones. Whoever came up with this idea….thank you, thank you, thank you!
August 03, 2018
Sam said:
I like them both for different reasons. I like not having spaces (I have a dog and a cat and their hair gets everywhere) and I like the “snap” too! It does take longer and I use the tweezers.
The round ones are definitely faster and I can use the wax pen. To me they seem to have more of a uniform sparkle, whereas the square ones seem more patchy.
When I don’t have a lot of patience (lol) I usually work on the round kit. When I want to sit for a while and just zen, I go with the squares. Works for me! :)
August 03, 2018
Monica Phillips said:
This is mt first square diamond kit and i love it….i already have my second one ready to go. I don’t think the round diamonds would fit as well as the square do
August 03, 2018
Terri said:
I have completed MANY of these. Probably close to 20. I love how relaxing it is. I have used both round and square drills. I prefer the square because to me it gives a cleaner look. The round can sometimes look like they are floating or the lines across are not straight. Either way it’s a habit I am not looking to break. Love diamond painting!
August 03, 2018
Valerie Logsdon said:
I enjoy the square gems because i get a cleaner straifhter line with them. I also found that if i do every other square and then fill in the others i get a much better fit than trying to do do line by line. I love these paintings. I have finished 5 medium/large pictures and 1 small. The small one was my first to be sure i enjoyed doing it and liked the finished project. I have more on order. I am making them for Christmas and birthday gifts.
August 03, 2018
Yvonne Marriott said:
I am on my first square drill PWD canvas. Had to take off an area of 4×6inches of the acrylics because it looked awful but now I’ve redone and they look fab and I’m totally hooked. Thanks everyone for the tips you post, they are so very helpful.
August 03, 2018
Vanessa said:
I absolutely hate doing the square drills. They look bad and they dont fo on straight o red cleanly. Round is best.
August 03, 2018
Kathy Hurt said:
I’ve done several and I like square drill the best it looks more complete and I love the snap I am completely hooked
August 03, 2018
Debra Dunnigan said:
Doing my first one with round and I am enjoying it however I need to buy another and decided to buy beacon of hope and the Virgin Mary. Now I noticed there were different drill options in cm sizes. Does this mean that you can buy these in different size so
August 03, 2018